# acolyte

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈæk.ə.laɪt/ · frequency rank #58,491

## Definitions
1. One who has received the highest of the four minor orders in the Catholic Church, being ordained to carry the wine, water and lights at Mass.
2. An altar server.
3. An attendant, assistant, or follower.

## Etymology
From Middle English acolite, acolit, from Old French acolyt and Late Latin acolythus, from Ancient Greek ἀκόλουθος (akólouthos, “follower, attendant”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/acolyte